Game apparatus



(No Model.)

JfA. SUTHERLAND.

GAME APPARATUS. No. 598,879.'

- Patented Peb; 8, 1898.

UNITED "STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. SUTI-IERLAND, OF LAURIE, CANADA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO OTTO ABELING, OF MOSCOW, IDAHO.

GAME'APPARA'TUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 598,879, dated February-8, 1898.

Application filed April 8, 1897. Serial No. 631,298, (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES A. SUTHERLAND, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at Laurie, West Kootenay District, British Columbia, Canada, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Game Apparatus, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates a simple form of my improved game apparatus; Fig. 2, the same arranged for two performers, and Fig. 3 a modified form of the device.

My invention pertains to certain improvements in game apparatus; and my object is to provide a novel, inexpensive, and attractive device which is readily available not only for social recreation, but also as an exceptionally useful exercise, the performance of which requires concentration of mind and perfect control of the muscles of the hand and arm.

The game is entitled Sisyphus, being analogous to the task imposed by the heathen gods upon Sisyphus, who, having incurred their displeasure, was condemned to roll a stone up the side of a hill. The burden being too heavy exhausted his strength before he could reach the goal. The stone invariably rolled back to the starting-point and he was doomed to repeat the effort to the end of time.

The peculiar features of the device will be apparent by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which- A indicates a rectangular block of hard wood or other suitable material having a gradually-inclined upper surface; B, a ball of solid material. The steel balls generally used for reducing friction in machinery being durable, as well as spherical, are well adapted for the purpose.

0 indicates a staff or wand made of hard wood and accurately flattened at the small end; D, a goal or pocket near the head of the inclined plane; E, a barrier atthe foot of the plane to arrest the ball when the performer loses control and fails to deposit it in the pocket, and F flanges to prevent the escape of the ball from the sides of the plane.

Fig. 3 illustrates a modified form of the device having a circular base, an upper surface gradually inclining from the center to the circumference and divided by a diametrical crevice G to define the limits when two performers are engaged.

The operation of the game is more easily described than executed. The staff being held in a vertical position, its flattened point is applied to the ball, which is thus moved up the inclined plane toward the goal, as shown in the drawings. It is obvious that the closest attention is absolutely necessary and that the slightest tremor of the muscles will be. followed by the escape of the ball and the performer will lose his turn and have each failure counted again st him according to the conditions mutually understood and accepted by the parties engaged.

WVhat I claim as new is As an improved article a game-board having a conical upper side with a hole or recess at the point and an upwardly-extending flange at the edge, and formed on said conoidal portion with two diametrically opposite crevices extending from near said hole to the edge, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand, this 19th day of March, 1897, in the presence of witnesses.

JAMES A. SUTHERLAND. Witnesses:

T. L. HAIS,

W. F. ORAes. 

